FCC
Media Ownership Standards Debated
FCC: Open up TV Waves to Wireless
EDTECH
IT In Schools Fails To Raise Standards
INTERNET
Computer as Ultimate Concierge
FCC
MEDIA OWNERSHIP STANDARDS DEBATED
Representatives from media companies, public interest groups and
entertainers appeared before FCC commissioners at a road show-style hearing
at Columbia University's Law School in New York yesterday to discuss the
Commission's media ownership rules. The FCC has agreed to participate in
hearings away from the nation's capital in order to ensure diversity of
viewpoints and the adequate collection of facts. Chairman Michael Powell
pointed to the Commission's recent failures in federal court in attempting
to justify the rules and stressed the need for facts, not anecdotes, to
support its actions. The Center for Public Integrity's argued that large
media conglomerates, more easily assembled since deregulation began in 1996,
hold tremendous sway over members of Congress. Media companies gave $75
million in campaign contributions to candidates for federal office and to
the two major political parties. Ellen Agress of Fox countered that larger
companies do not operate in concert and that they must compete with the
Internet as a news and entertainment source. James Winston of the National
Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters expressed concern that further
consolidation in radio would limit the presentation of minority interests in
that medium.
[SOURCE: CBS MarketWatch, AUTHOR: John Friedman]
(http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B3F883ACD-6F45-4407-B433-9
151F7B5B99D%7D&siteid=mktw)
FCC: OPEN UP TV WAVES TO WIRELESS
In a notice of inquiry adopted last month, the FCC indicated that it is
considering opening existing TV spectrum for wireless technologies such as
Wi-Fi Internet. Any proposal to do so would be restricted to bandwidth not
currently used by broadcasters and would be regulated such that it did not
interfere with authorized uses. The notice will be published later this
month in the Federal Register, and the ensuing comment period is expected to
draw sharp opposition from TV broadcasters, who historically have been very
protective of their spectrum. TV spectrum holds significant amounts of
bandwidth per channel and the frequencies vary by region, holding more
opportunities for use.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Richard Shim]
(http://news.com.com/2100-1033-981047.html?tag=fd_top)
EDTECH
IT IN SCHOOLS FAILS TO RAISE STANDARDS
According to recent study by the British government, computer and Internet
use has done little to improve pupil achievement in England. Between 1999
and 2002 the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency
studied and computer use in 60 schools in England. The report uncovered "no
consistent relationship between computer use and pupil achievement in any
subject at any age." The report, however, did not recommend the cessation of
IT investments in schools. Instead, it suggested that schools need
continuing support, including more funding for equipment that can be used
flexibly, and more training for teachers in how to integrate IT with subject
learning.
[SOURCE: Vnunet.com, AUTHOR: Rachel Fielding]
(http://www.vnunet.com/News/1138036)
INTERNET
COMPUTER AS ULTIMATE CONCIERGE
The Internet has long been used to connect individuals with similar
interests, via anonymous chat rooms, listservs and the like. Likewise, those
who prefer face-to-face meetings have used the Web's communication
technologies, e.g., e-mail, to arrange for social gatherings. One company
has found a way to bridge these two uses. Meetup.com links like-minded
individuals and arranges social gatherings for group members. Meetup handles
everything from invitations to suggesting locales, giving group members the
opportunity to vote on the location. The site then collects RSVPs and books
the revenue, if necessary. Groups in 540 cities worldwide are using the site
to meet on a range of topics - political, social, hobby-related or
otherwise. The company's founders sought to shift Web users away from the
social alienation and individualism caused by longer work commutes and the
proliferation of TV and Internet use. "You kind of need to get online," says
co-founder Myles Weissleder, "but it [the computer] is only a conduit to the
community."
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Carolyn Patricia Scott]
(http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-wk-stay16jan16,0,3972392.story?coll=la
%2Dheadlines%2Dtechnology)
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